Running backs Shaquil Terry and Jake McKenzie combined for 237 of Kennesaw State’s school-record 498 rushing yards in leading the Owls to a 42-28 victory over Liberty Saturday night at Williams Stadium. The win extends the Owls’ winning streak to a school-record five games.
The Owls (5-1, 1-0 Big South) had to hold off a late Liberty (3-3, 0-1 Big South) rally that saw the Flames reel off 21 unanswered points to cut the deficit to 35-28 with 9:06 remaining. But, junior QB Chandler Burks -- who finished with 82 rushing yards on 20 carries and a touchdown -- led a key 12-play, 75-yard drive that milked 5:53 off the clock. The game was iced was McKenzie sprinted 30 yards for a touchdown with 3:13 left.
“It was a big win for us,” said head coach Brian Bohannon. “To come on the road and beat Liberty it was huge. I was very proud when we lost momentum and were able to get it back and win the game. We are still a young football team and it was a big thing for us to go out and finish tonight.”
McKenzie gained 45 of his career-high 111 yards rushing on four key carries on the final drive. Terry finished with a career-high 126 yards on nine carries, including a 26-yard TD run that allowed the Owls to open a 21-7 lead in the second quarter.
The Owls return to Fifth Third Bank Stadium at 7 p.m. Saturday to face Big South Conference opponent Gardner-Webb.
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